Price hike for frugal new 911

Next-generation 911 sees prices and power outputs on the up while fuel use drops considerably.

24 August 2011Matt Campbell

2012 Porsche 911. Photo:

2012 Porsche 911. Photo:

2012 Porsche 911. Photo:

2012 Porsche 911. Photo:

2012 Porsche 911. Photo:

2012 Porsche 911. Photo:

2012 Porsche 911 Photo:

2012 Porsche 911 Photo:

2012 Porsche 911 Photo:

2012 Porsche 911 Photo:

2012 Porsche 911 Photo:

2012 Porsche 911 Photo:

2012 Porsche 911 Photo:

Porsche's next-generation 911 will be lighter, more powerful and more expensive than its predecessor. But it'll also be as efficient as some small cars.

The new "991" model Carrera sips a claimed 8.2-litres per 100 kilometres when fitted Porsche's dual-clutch PDK auto - 1.6-litres less than the current generation 911. The drop comes despite the overhauled model offering more power from its new 3.4-litre horizontally-opposed engine (257kW versus 254kW).

Porsche

The sportier Carrera S also sees markedly large drops in fuel use despite the next-generation version's 3.8-litre powerplant producing a whopping 294kW - 11kW more than the current version. Claimed use for the S is 8.7L/100km, a drop of 1.5-litres over its predecessor.

Fuel consumption figures for revolutionary seven-speed manual gearbox are being kept under wraps for now.

Porsche attributes the fuel-use drops partly to the lightweight properties of the new model's aluminium-steel composite body. Porsche says the new body is stiffer than the previous model, with weight drops of up to 45 kilograms.

The new 911 will arrive in March 2012 with pricing for the entry-level 911 Carrera set to increase by $6900 to $229,900, with the powerhouse Carrera S jumping by $10,300 to $263,100.

The next-gen 911 will be unveiled at the Frankfurt motor show in September.